Three Essential Understandings for Building Relationships
1. Teachers and Parents Are Equal Partners
Parents observe their children’s learning journey outside the classroom and know which topics spark confidence or frustration. Teachers can use this insight to create meaningful, relevant connections between math content and students’ lived experiences.
Tip: School staff should ensure parents feel trusted, honored, and respected. Parents’ self-efficacy—especially in a subject like math that often causes anxiety—directly affects how willing they are to engage.
2. Every Family’s Contribution Matters
Reframe what you consider “engagement.” For some families, support happens quietly at home through homework help. Others may volunteer at school events. Both forms are valuable. Even shifting the way families talk about math—from “I was never good at math” to “Let’s learn together”—can transform a child’s mindset.
3. Families Have Knowledge That Activates Learning
Caregivers know what their child needs to focus, what interests them, and what makes them persevere. Teachers can activate that knowledge to design math lessons that are authentic and motivating.
Six Recommendations for Productive Parent–Teacher Relationships
1. Make Communication a Priority
Even with a packed schedule, time invested in building partnerships pays off. Learn about students’ home environments, what motivates them, and what challenges they face. Developmentally appropriate engagement at home—like math talk and problem-solving encouragement—supports student perseverance.
2. Build Trust First
Relationships thrive when rooted in trust and care. Start the school year with positive, complementary conversations with families. Learn about the knowledge and resources available in students’ homes, then bring those familiar contexts into your math classroom examples.
3. Build Families’ Capacity for Partnership
Parents may feel disconnected from today’s math standards or overwhelmed by educational jargon. Share clear, concise information about:
- Unit objectives and learning targets
- Online resources and grade portals
- Key events and ways to get involved
When parents know what’s being taught, they can ask better questions and engage in richer conversations with their child.
4. Keep the Conversation Going
Set a goal for how often you’ll contact each family, then stick to it. Use scheduled check-ins, progress updates, and quick notes home to build consistency. Make sure families know how to reach you—and remind them that communication is a two-way street.
5. Encourage Academic Talk at Home
Provide parents with concrete suggestions for supporting math learning outside of class. For example:
- Elementary teachers: Suggest reading books that integrate math concepts to expand vocabulary.
- Middle school teachers: Encourage parents to ask about homework and discuss problem-solving strategies.
The more students talk about math at home, the deeper their understanding becomes.
6. Be Flexible and Persistent
Not every outreach will receive a response right away—keep trying. Use a variety of communication methods, such as:
- Notes sent home
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Digital platforms like Classtag© or Remind©
- Before- and after-school conference options
Offer multiple ways for families to connect with you and meet them where they are.
Free Download: 6 Tips for Working with Families
Take your partnerships to the next level with Sadlier’s free tip sheet: Easy Steps to Build Relationships with Your Math Students’ Families. It’s filled with actionable strategies you can implement right away.
